Camry hybrid debuts in Ky.

[jpak]

http://www.news-journalonline.com/NewsJournalOnline/Business/Headlines/bizBIZ03101606.htm

GEORGETOWN, Ky. -- The first Kentucky-made hybrid of the nation's most popular family sedan, the Toyota Camry, rolled off the assembly line Thursday, positioning the Japanese automaker to take an even larger share of the gasoline-electric vehicle market in the United States.

Plans call for production of up to 48,000 more at the Georgetown Toyota plant this year, giving car buyers the option of a midsize hybrid that provides better gas mileage than most conventional compact vehicles -- 40 miles per gallon in the city, 38 on the highway, according to estimates posted on the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's Web site.

"Production at the new Kentucky plant marks an exciting chapter in Toyota's history and a monumental step toward our ongoing commitment to hybrid technology," said Don Esmond, senior vice president of Toyota Motor Sales.

With high fuel costs, Toyota Motor Co. is banking on drivers moving to more fuel-efficient vehicles. Already, the automaker is producing the most popular hybrid, the Prius, which has outsold all other gas-electric models combined.

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[still_one]

1. The problem is, they still aren't that cost effective

the base price on the Camery is 25000, which is about a 5K premium over a non-hybrid version

The EPA indicates 40 MPG, but I can assure you that will NOT be even close to reality. I have two Prius autos whose MPG is rated at 55 to 60 MPG. The reality is more like 40 to 45 MPG.

The non-hybrid version of the Civic MPG is around 35 MPG, and is about 10 to 13K cheaper than the hybrid Camery. Saturn has a pseudo hybrid version of the Vue which gets about 30 MPG, and MSRP is about 22 to 23K

If you do the math it would take about 10 years to pay off the 5K premium price you paid more for the hybrid version on savings from gas prices.

Hopefully, as more competition for hybrids comes into the market place they will become more cost effective

[GreenPartyVoter]

2. Let's hope so!

[wuushew]

3. You can't really compare the 4 cylinder base Camry with the hybrid

not only are the options better but so is acceleration (extremely linear owing to the electric motors).

The hybrid fits between the base model and the unnecessarily powerful V6 model. Apples should be compared to apples.

[skids]

4. Not to mention... the car's useful life is 10+ years...

...so even by his math.... And then there is reduced brake pad wear and reduced overall engine wear. And the likelihood of even pricier gas. And I do get 50mpg in mine.

Still Toyota does need a hybrid for the budget buyer. As it is now, most of the hybrds come bundled with lots of luxury options that the bargain hunter would not buy normally.

And a diesel hybrid would be oh so sweet.